The chairman of the south east governors’ forum and governor of Ebonyi state, Chief David Umahi, on Thursday has threatened to confront the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the ongoing voters’ registration exercise.
Umahi made this known in Abakaliki while addressing thousands of prominent stakeholders/political appointees of the state during a one-day voters registration sensitization exercise that took place at the Abakaliki Township Stadium.
The governor also declared his preparedness to make sure that the exercise was successful in Ebonyi but threatened to deal physically with any person that would obstruct the exercise in the state.
He said: “There is no foreplay in this continuous voters registration exercise, it is our right and the independent National electoral commission, INEC, must provide functional machines that will be used in this exercise as we need.
“They must come to work on time. We have the right to query them, why are you coming to work by 10am, you can’t try it again. They have no right to give us excuses. No more excuses. We have to insist on our right.
“We have to demand our right. We are not a conquered state. And anybody that is obstructing this exercise, physically will be dealt with. If you observe anything that’s not normal report to police, report to state security services, SSS, so that they will look into it.
“We will not entertain any physical obstruction by anybody in this exercise. The governor of Benue said defend yourselves with stones. And I’m saying to you defend yourselves with your right. It is your right to get yourself registered. It is your right that nobody obstructs this voters’ registration exercise in the name of anything.
“As you are doing this, it is important that you demand for your PVC. I believe that the various committees that is in place will interface with INEC from time to time to make sure that there is no fowl play in the exercise. All submissions made here are well noted and recorded and we shall summarise them and confront INEC with it in our meeting tomorrow,” he stated.
Source: today.ng
